Alternately translated as Return of the Blind Dead and Return of the Evil Dead, the second film in Amando De Ossorio’s zombie parade was released a scant two years after the series’ first installment, Tombs of the Blind Dead. Each of these films was completed under the constraint of scant funds, but still was able to create enough ambiance and gore to create a small time fervor in the nerdly horror community at the time. Some have even hypothesized that Sam Raimi borrowed the title of his first film from this second zombie flick. And while that can’t be substantiated, there’re enough cheapo gore thrills here for the guess to make more than a bit of sense.

In contrast to the first film, Return of the Blind Dead begins with a quick recap of the Templars’ demise. This time – instead of being hung and having birds peck the knights’ eyes out – the Templars are captured and burned with torches wielded by angered villagers. Even more confusing here, though, is that the town in this sequel doesn’t seem to be the same one from the original flick. This new town, once plagued by the Templars, has created a yearly celebration to commemorate the defeat of these evil knights. The basis of the movie, though, is that the Templars return during this latest celebration.

Differentiating this flick from its predecessor is the ever so slight political commentary inserted here. One of the town’s elders, who attempts to bring the plight of the citizens to the attention of some over-lording police commissioner, is dismissed as a drunken simpleton amongst a slew of elevated speech touching upon the problems of those in power and how they are necessitated to respond to reasonable requests at the behest of the citizens. It kinda doesn’t make sense – nor does the fact that there’s more than one instance of scenes being recycled from Tombs of the Blind Dead. Cropping up again and again, the Templars are shown galloping in slow motion – or abusing a captive woman – that’s more than recognizable from the 1971 film.

It’s forgivable, though. And due to the fact that first film may have caught some folks’ attention because of the few gory scenes included, the blood flow is ratcheted up here. A number of scenes with swords hacking off limbs or the Templars eating human organs and drinking blood look more than fake at this late date, but it’s still entertaining.

As the film comes to a close with no less than six people barricading themselves into an old castle, it’s already a foregone conclusion that some of ‘em are gonna get got. The most mischievous get what they deserve, but the underdeveloped and convoluted love story is complicated here as three dudes vie for the affections of (a not too attractive) woman. Most surprisingly, though, a little girl is once utilized as a sacrificial lamb, only to be saved a few moments later as her mother distracts the murderous zombie Templars.

It’s all ridiculous – and maybe not worth your time. But camp is camp. And De Ossorio is an unwitting master.